Senior Risk and Compliance Manager Europe and Asia

Cooley (UK) LLP is seeking a Senior Risk and Compliance Manager - Europe and Asia to join the Risk and Compliance team.

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Assistant General Counsel the Senior Risk and Compliance Manager - Europe and Asia will work within the London Compliance Team focusing on financial crime in the UK Europe and Asia. This role will support the COLP and MLRO and a busy team of analysts providing legal risk and regulatory advice and support to Cooleys London Brussels Hong Kong Singapore and China offices. They will also play a crucial role in educating staff and fostering a culture of compliance within the firm.

Position Responsibilities:

Financial Crime

• Responsible for the financial crime function within the Compliance team supporting the AML Risk and Compliance Manager and AML Risk and Compliance Analysts to provide a consistent and prompt service;

• Advise partners and employees on financial crime compliance including money laundering sanctions bribery fraud tax evasion and market abuse;

• Support the MLRO in their duties including submitting SARs and completing questionnaires from clients suppliers or the SRA;

• Horizon scan for changes to financial crime regulations guidance and market practice in relevant jurisdictions and update firm policies and procedures;

• Support the AML Risk and Compliance Manager on all aspects relating to the performance of the AML Risk and Compliance Analysts;

• Draft maintain and update records of the firms financial crime policies procedures and risk assessments in line with regulations in the UK Europe and Asia;

• Independent and regulator audit preparation and liaison;

• Identify reputational and financial crime issues and approve high risk clients and matter summaries before submission to the MLRO;

• Attend AML Team meetings and take responsibility for the agenda and minutes and present key topics;

• Attend external roundtables and conferences to stay abreast of industry developments in the UK US Europe and Asia as relevant;

• Develop and deliver financial crime training to partners and employees in relevant offices;

• Proactively share knowledge in weekly team meetings and oversee training of new analysts;

• Line management of AML Risk and Compliance Manager involvement in appraisals of the AML Team identifying any resourcing needs and the hiring of new team members;

• Review and monitor the effectiveness of AML functions and automated systems in relevant offices and implementing changes as required;

• All other duties as assigned or required.

General Compliance

• Support the Assistant General Counsel in advising partners and employees on a wide range of compliance and regulatory issues including conflicts and confidentiality under SRA and US rules negotiating terms with clients and third parties practising rights SRA Codes of Conduct and other ad hoc projects;

• Deliver compliance induction training to all new professional staff;

• Assist the General Counsel with completing regular file reviews;

• Holiday cover for other members of the team; and

• All other duties as assigned or required.

Skills & Experience:

Required:

• Qualified lawyer 3PQE

• Experience of working in a law firm compliance team or as a fee earner with regulatory experience

• Knowledge of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 UK Money Laundering Regulations and LSAG guidance UK and EU sanctions Bribery Act 2010 Criminal Finances Act 2017 and ECCTA 2023

• Experience advising on financial crime issues and liaising with relevant stakeholders

• Knowledge of SRA Principles and Codes of Conduct

• Attention to detail ability to prioritise and meet deadlines

• Willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills with strong service orientation and evaluative and problem-solving skills

• A high standard of oral and written communication skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word Excel Outlook and PowerPoint

• Database experience such as iManage and Intapp software useful

• May be required to work outside of regular business hours

• Commitment to the office and Firm

• Previous management experience required.

Competencies:

• Strong management skills

• Ability to think critically in analysing and solving problems

• Good presence and ability to work well with all personnel

• Excellent organisational skills

• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks while maintaining confidentiality

• The ability to independently assess client needs and to develop appropriate responsive solutions

• The ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively and to foster a culture of teamwork

• A keen interest in and commitment to keeping up to date with relevant technology products and services and developing professionally

• The aptitude and confidence to challenge and change existing practices adopt innovative approaches and drive these forward through to implementation

• The ability to forge effective working relationships and to influence at a senior level

• Ability to organise and prioritise work assignments as well as delegate tasks to support departments when necessary

• Possess excellent written communication and proofreading skills with attention to detail

• Professional in approach and able to deal with staff at all levels

• Service delivery focused with ability to recognise pressure points and to offer assistance where needed

• Organised and efficient - able to prioritise and manage own workload and work without supervision

• Highly motivated and enthusiastic to lead by example

• Proactive and reliable

• Ability to embrace organisational change

• Ability to deal with confidential situations with tact diplomacy and discretion.

Cooley offers an excellent benefits package and competitive compensation including:

• Enhanced family leave

• Health and dental insurance

• Group income protection

• Life assurance

• Pension

• Fertility benefits

• Wellness programs

• Employee discounts including a fitness and nutrition allowance

• And more!

A comprehensive benefits brochure will be provided to all candidates during the interview process.

Hybrid Working

As part of the Cooley culture we recognise and appreciate the value of being together in person to build comradery with others in the office and to be a contributing member of the Cooley office. However we also appreciate the benefits and flexibility that come from remote working. This role follows our hybrid working approach which supports our business professional staff to work in a hybrid way with the expectation that you are required to have some in-office presence and some work from home days. The office presence requirement is very much dependant on the department needs and the business needs which are subject to change at any time.

Reporting to this position: AML Risk and Compliance Manager

Equal Opportunity Statement: We strive to create an inclusive and rewarding environment that allows our people to thrive both professionally and order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals employment decisions at the Firm will be based on merit qualifications and abilities. The Firm does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age disability gender reassignment marriage and civil partnership pregnancy and maternity race religion or belief sex sexual orientation. This policy governs all aspects of employment including but not limited to recruitment selection job assignment compensation discipline promotion termination and access to benefits and training.

Cooley (UK) LLP is dedicated to making our recruitment practices and candidate interviews inclusive and accessible for everyone. If you have a medical condition disability or are neurodivergent and require reasonable accommodations adjustments or support during your interview process please contact . We assure you all requests will be treated with sensitivity and strict confidentiality and they will not affect your potential employment with Cooley (UK) LLP.

General Sign-Off: Specific duties for this position will be assigned; the requirements may vary from time to time depending on the needs of the firm.